Why Run for Congress?

  In 1969, the aftershocks of the Vietnam War and the civil rights movement had not yet been felt in American homes, neighborhoods, and schools. A 5-year old wakes up to attend another happy and blissful day of kindergarten, totally oblivious to a changing world around him.  

  The small boy would walk from the trailer park, through a small ditch, past a graveyard, and finally to school. On the way to the small school house he recounts the words of his mom telling him that he is special and that he can do anything and be anyone if he puts his mind to it. He takes her word on this and locks it away into his heart. Throughout his life, he will recall those words over and over in the toughest fights of his life. Like all mothers, she was trying to position her child for success, making sure the child could reach for opportunity.  

  His school house was a black Masonic temple, but served as a Headstart program for children during the day. The teachers were warm and kind and they truly loved every child, even when things did not go well. All were strong women, knowing right from wrong and instilling those values in their precious charges. That was their mission, that was their duty, that was what they did.

 The above story is what is most valuable and important to our country. It represents the enduring goodness in all of us.  It is a story of hopes and dreams, whispered from a mother's breath to the mind of her child. This is what is so special about our great land. This is our birthright, to dream of things big and small, regardless of arbitrary and manmade prejudices. This we claim as Americans. This is what I stake as an American. This is what I hold dear to my heart. This, I have done my entire life as an American.

 This leads me to the answer of why I am running for Congress. There's no hidden message in my answer. Folks may not believe me, and may even be cynical about me. But those who know me, understand the journey I've taken.  

I promised that little boy in 1969 that I would try to do what was right when things go terribly wrong. It's that simple. That is what I was taught by my first teacher, a woman of color. Never to shy away from what was right. I held her words tight to my heart.

 Today, our elected officials are not bad or evil people. Some have made bad decisions, and it quickly became a slippery slope in betraying the trust of all of us. Our failed politicians did not start out corrupt; they just got used to the system of perks and entitlements, and lost their way. The real problem is that there is a new generation of politicians with no shame or guilt that have decided to start where the corruption left off. They were not taught the values we should hold dear.  

  Only the fondest memories still exist after all this time, because I was that kid who walked from the trailer park to the Headstart program, and I still hear that whisper.

Tom Guleff

West Point ‘86

Memphis , TN

www.tomguleff.com

(901) 246-5123  

Tom Guleff 
tomguleff@aol.com